Eddie The Eagle Edwards backs new the Snow Leopard

?Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards made his name as a ski jump flop at the 1988 games in Calgary, Canada.

Now the event is back in the same country and the Cheltenham-born plasterer will be keeping an eye out for the latest underdog to capture the world’s imagination.

Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong will compete for Ghana, just six years after taking up skiing.

The Glasgow-born 34-year-old is the only black African on the international skiing circuit.

Eddie says the media focus on a man dubbed ‘The Snow Leopard’ reminds him of when he was centre of attention.

He said: “I sometimes wish I was there competing. It will definitely bring back memories of when I did it.

“That’s why the Olympics should stay as it is. They should allow more athletes like that, and like me, to take part.

“If they don’t, it will just become a world championship. Many sports already have their own world championships so that would make for a very boring event.”

Eddie was 24 when he came last in the 1988 ski jump and won instant fame as one of Britain’s most notorious failures.

He is now 46, married with two children and lives in North Woodchester, near Stroud. He has gone back to plastering but also keeps himself busy by doing media work, after-dinner and motivational speaking.

Though his life has moved on, the memories of his exploits are still fresh in his mind and he can’t wait to watch this year’s games on TV.

He said: “It’s great that it’s back in Canada after 22 years. I think they’ll do a fantastic job.”

He will keep a special eye on Kwame and the other less-fancied competitors.

He said: “By having those real underdog athletes, it makes it more fun, more entertaining and more watchable.”

When it comes to Britain winning medals, Eddie is not very confident.

He said: “We may get one or two if we’re extremely lucky but we’re not really a winter sports nation so I don’t think the British public expect us to do very well.”

The opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics takes place at 1am British time tomorrow morning.

For a full interview with Eddie, who talks about the film being made of his life and the strangeness of celebrity, see tomorrow’s edition of Weekend magazine – free with your Gloucestershire Echo.

Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards will be watching the latest underdog skier when the games begin today.